1/21/16
We planted some cute little miniature heads of cabbage November 1st, 2015 near Los Angeles in southern California. We purchased the transplants locally and we wished we had taken a photo of them. It frosts occasionally where the garden is located so we planted the cabbage along with some broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, romain lettuce and swiss chard transplants. These plants will tolerate temperatures above 25 degrees pretty well. We had not planted cabbage in a garden in many years and forgot what fun it is to watch. The plant seems to grow so slowly and gradually gets bigger and then seems to explode over the last few weeks before it is ready to cut the head.
2/5/16
Broccoli, Cabbage and Cauliflower grow well together and require about the same care. These plants respond well to three heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer; once just after planting after they have recovered from transplant shock; a second time about a month after planting when they have developed a significant amount of foliage; and a third application just as the heads are starting to form. We also use osmocote at planting which in cool weather is a 90 day slow release fertilizer containing Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous(P), and Potassium (K). We grew several acres of pick-your-own broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower for two years back in the 1980s. We had great success doing this.
2/12/16
In our growing situation we built a “bunny fence” around the perimeter of the garden to keep out the rabbits. We also have squirrel and gophers. The squirrels don’t seem to be interested in the cole crops and the gophers seem to be under control at the moment. We also make an effort to control the cabbage looper worms.
Ready to cut – 2/18/16
We look forward to making fresh cole slaw, boiled cabbage, and cabbage rolls!!